Rock Rapids, Iowa — Almost three years ago we told you that the Rock Rapids City Council is in the middle of a long process to decide the fate of a bridge at the opening to the city’s popular Island Park.
The bridge, at the end of the park’s cobblestone entrance is over a channel put in over 100 years ago, reportedly by the railroad to divert the Rock River when they were building their trestle, thereby creating the island that gave Island Park its name.
But three years ago a report said that the bridge was in need of repair or replacement. In fact, the city council closed the bridge for a short time, and in so doing closed the main entrance to the park. They later decided to keep it open while they tried to find a solution. Another bridge further north into the park at the beginning of the channel also needs repair or replacement.
Since then, Rock Rapids was dealt a heavy blow with last summer’s record flood. We checked in with Rock Rapids Mayor Jason Chase on the bridge situation. He says while their main priority is flood recovery, the bridges are still on their radar.
Chase says other matters are more pressing right now.
“Confluence” is the name of the park planning firm with which the city contracted to help improve Island Park. That was before the flood. He says they have taken a few steps toward fixing the situation.
Chase says the council knows the bridges and the cobblestone entrance are important to residents and other users of the park, and as money and time allow, they will keep searching for the appropriate action to take.
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